Vegan Mocha Maca Banana Smoothie

This vegan mocha maca banana smoothie blends rich coffee and cocoa with frozen banana and a boost of maca powder for a creamy, energizing sip you can make in five minutes flat.

Key Ingredients & Substitutions

• Frozen bananas. They're the creamy base of the smoothie. No frozen bananas on hand? Use fresh, ripe bananas and add a handful of ice.
• Maca powder. Adds an earthy, malty flavor and a natural energy boost. If you're new to maca, start with the lesser amount and use a gelatinized maca for easier digestion.
• Instant coffee. Dissolved in boiling water for that mocha kick. Use decaf if you want the flavor without the caffeine, or substitute ¼ cup strong brewed coffee, cooled.
• Cocoa or cacao powder. Brings the chocolate flavor. Cacao powder is less processed and a touch more bitter; cocoa powder is milder and sweeter.
• Vanilla almond milk. Adds creaminess and a hint of sweetness. Any nondairy milk works, including oat or soy milk.
• Liquid sweetener. Maple syrup or agave nectar rounds out the bitterness from the coffee and cocoa. Add to taste.
• Cinnamon. A warm background note that plays well with the mocha flavor. Leave it out if you'd like a cleaner mocha taste.

Variations

• Peanut butter mocha. Blend in a tablespoon of peanut or almond butter for extra richness.
• Mint mocha. Add a few fresh mint leaves or a drop of peppermint extract.
• Protein boost. Stir in a scoop of vanilla or chocolate vegan protein powder.
• Frozen coffee cubes. Freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray and use those instead of regular ice for a stronger, less watered-down flavor.
• Spiced mocha. Add a pinch of cayenne or extra cinnamon for a Mexican hot chocolate-inspired twist.
• Chocolate chunk. Blend in a tablespoon of dairy-free chocolate chips for little bursts of chocolate throughout.

Tips for the Best Mocha Maca Banana Smoothie

• Freeze your bananas ahead of time. Peel and slice ripe bananas, then freeze them in a single layer so they blend smoothly instead of forming a hard block.
• Fully dissolve the coffee and cocoa. Stirring them into boiling water first, rather than adding the powders straight to the blender, keeps the smoothie from turning gritty.
• Start with less maca. Its flavor is strong and a little bitter, so use the lower end of the range until you know how much you like.
• Blend in stages. Add the liquid first, then the bananas, so the blades move freely and everything purees evenly.
• Taste right before serving. Coffee and cocoa can vary in bitterness, so adjust the sweetener at the end rather than at the start.

How to Serve

Pour this smoothie into tall glasses and enjoy it as an energizing breakfast or afternoon pick-me-up. For a heartier meal, serve it alongside granola or a bowl of vegan overnight oats. On a hot day, pour the extra into popsicle molds and freeze for a mocha treat, or top each glass with a dusting of cocoa powder and a couple of coffee beans for a coffee-shop-style finish.

Looking for more ways to use maca? Check out our 5 Vegan Maca Recipes roundup for more energizing ideas.

Recipe

Mocha Maca Banana Smoothie

5 from 5 votes

This vegan mocha maca banana smoothie blends coffee, cocoa, and frozen banana with energizing maca powder for a creamy, 5-minute treat.

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Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes

Total Time: 8 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

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Ingredients

• 1 heaping teaspoon organic instant coffee
• 2 teaspoons cocoa or cacao powder or see variation, below
• ½ cup boiling water
• 2 frozen bananas broken into chunks
• 1 cup vanilla almond milk sweetened or not
• 1 to 2 tablespoons maca powder
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Liquid sweetener agave, stevia, maple syrup, etc. if using unsweetened almond milk, to taste, optional
• Ice for serving optional

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Instructions

• Combine the instant coffee and cocoa powder in a mug with the boiling water and stir until fully dissolved. Pour this mixture into a blender.
• Add the frozen bananas, almond milk, maca powder, and cinnamon, and blend until completely smooth.
• Divide between two glasses. Taste, then stir in more sweetener if needed, or thin with a splash more almond milk if the smoothie is too thick.
• Add ice and blend again briefly if you'd like it extra cold, then serve at once.

Nutrition (Estimate per Serving)

Calories: 142kcalCarbohydrates: 31gProtein: 3gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 167mgPotassium: 535mgFiber: 5gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 76IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 180mgIron: 1mg

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